Students are learning that the United States’ current political scene will be slow to meet students’ (and their allies’) demands for stricter gun laws. They are seeing an ugly underbelly of their country. This what I’m gathering: the deaths at Douglas High have really hit home, not just to students, but to the entire country; that many people are angry with the NRA’s stance and lack of flexibility in addressing how individuals acquire guns, especially assault weapons like the ones used in Parkland and Aurora’s shootings; and that students’ pleas and brave demands to accommodate their safety have entered gridlock with the NRA, Congress, and many elected officials.

In Denver’s rally, I heard a young speaker say “If you wait, it will be too late.” He’s right.